Automatic time switch



P 3, 1940- H. w. DAGGS 2,213,459

AUTOMATIC TIME SWITCH Filed Jan. 13, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l 12.

2 11 Hrbr W. Daggs INVENT BY Waite? C 7 ATTORNEY Sep 3, 1940- H. w. DAGGS AUTOMATIC TIME SWITCH Filed Jan. 15, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 VIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Hrfbwrt W. Degas \NVENTOR BY 4/ C ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 3, 1940 ran e AUTOMATIC TIME SWHTCH Herbert W. Daggs, Cleveland, Ohio Applicaticn January 13, 15338, Serial No. 184,819

(Jlaims.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic time switches adapted to actuate switches at predetermined times.

An object of my invention is to provide an automatic time switch, which possesses a high degree of flexibility, and is thus adapted to combine a single switch device pole, double pole, two circuit or other features.

Other objects are, to provide a time switch, which can be built at a relatively low cost, the same being positive, accurate and precise in action, and adapted to be used within a relatively wide range of uses.

Still other objects are to provide a device of the type described, which may be quickly and easily regulated to operate at a predetermined time, the same being adapted to be encased in a relatively small container where it may be readily accessible.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be app nt during the course of the following descrip on:

In the drawings accompanying this specification:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of my new and improved time switch showing it mounted in a box,

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view,

3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 showing the retaining spring,

Fig. 4 is sectional view taken on the line i l cf Fig. 1, showing the mercury switch,

Fig. 5 a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2,

6 is a diagrammatic view taken on the line E5 of Fig. showing the rocker carriage and parts associated with it for actuating it,

Fig. 7 is a view corresponding to Fig. 6 showing the position of the parts just before the rocker carriage is tripped, and

Fig. 8 corresponds to Fig. 6 and shows the rocke in another position.

Conventional time switches are commonly divided by the trade into various distinct types, conventionally designated, for example, as type "o /ides for turning on circuits Nos. 1 ately and turning them off simul- Type B, for simultaneously turning uits 'os. 1 and 2 and turning off No. l and then all Type C for turning on circuit No. 1, then No. 2 and turning off No. 1 and then all off. Likewise types D, E, F and G provide various modifications of the sequence of switch operation above described. Each of the various types of switches is adapted to be utilized for certain particular types of work. For example type A may particularly adapted for actuating store display switches, while type B may be adapted for actuating electric light switches in apartment houses, where No. l circuit may control hall lights and No. 2 may control the lights in front of the apartment.

While each of the foregoing switches is adapted to perform its work in the particular place where it operates, it is not adapted to be regulated to be operated as any of the other switch types. I have discovered that a single time switch device may be provided, having such a wide range of flexibility, that it is adapted to be readily regulated to perform the actuation of switches in the manner of any of the foregoing types, furthermore I have discovered means for accomplishing such results by new and novel means.

In the drawings the numeral ll represents a box, encasing my device, adapted to be supported on a wall in a vertical position and conveniently provided with a swinging door, adapted to be locked. A frame l2, providing a supporting means for the mechanism hereinafter described,

secure to the box l l by means of screws 23, provides for the ready removal of the device from the box ii. A mounting plate i i, positioned on the plane of the frame it is secured thereto by means of braces 55 anchored by screws 56, while a motor support plate ll is mounted in spaced relation to the mounting plate it by the cooperaintericrly threaded tubes l3, secured to the braces l5 and the mounting plate Hi by a pressed fit, and receives screws l9 providing means for quickly and easily removing the motor support plate i? from the frame l2.

Lifting arms 2% and 20b adapted to be moved vertically upwar ly and downwardly are provided with upper slots 25a and ilb, serving to guide said lift a; s and 2% along an upper hollow guide post 22, secured to the upper part of the ff: by screw and nut while intermediate slots 25a and 25b permit said lifting arms to be slid along an hour wheel shaft 26 in a similar manner.

Likewise lower slots r'fa and 23h near the lower ends of lifting arms 28a. and 282) permit said arms to be slid along a relatively long lower guide post 28, provided with spacing washers and threaded interiorly receiving screws 38. Horizontally disposed slots, slightly larger than the top of the lifting arms 29a and 2th, positioned in a lifting arm guard 3i fixedly mounted at the top of the frame l2 and extending forwardly therefrom, provide additional guide means for lifting arms 2M and 2%, while a guard 32 serves to protect the moving parts, and acts as a pointer for telling time.

Change Weight members 33a and 3% are pivotally mounted respectively on the lifting arms 29a and Ziib by means of pins 3 1a and Mb, while change weight studs 35a and 35h, cooperating with respectively change weight members 323a and 33?) as hereinafter described, are secured to rocker carriages sea and till), which are pivotally mounted on lower guide post tetaining springs 3M and iflb, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 are provided for maintaining the rocker carriages in position against the dragging action of other parts. Mercury switches 38a and 3813, are mounted horizontally on the rocker carriages and 3% by means of clamps 39a and 3% respectively, and are of such design and construction that they are in a circuit completing condition when the large ends thereof are tilted downwardly, as shown in Fig. l and are in non-circuit cornpleting condition when the large ends are tilted upwardly. Wires ite and G512 connect rocker carriages 35a and 36b respectively to conventional terminals i is and lb mounted on terminal block 42 from which appropriate wires lead to the various circuits controlled by this time switch. Coiled tension springs 43a and 13b, secured to the lower ends of the lifting arms 28a. and 2829, are retained by spring post i i, and serve to effectively draw downwardly the lifting arms and thus serve to give impetus to the downward movement in an obvious manner.

The timing of the device herein described is accomplished by means of timing dials the and 51), fixedly mounted on the hour wheel shaft 26, and provided around their peripheries by apertures ite and itb beneath which numerals corresponding to the time according to hours, or fractions thereof may be provided. One half of the timing dials lfia and set may be appropriately designed to represent the day hours and the other half the night hours. Cam hands Ala, and dib loosely pivotally mounted on the hour wheel shaft 25 are provided with setting pins ifia and 48b adapted to be selectively set in any of time indicating apertures and 4612 respectively. The ends of the cam hands ife and tlb are provided with curved cam surfaces lea and 6% adapted to operate lifting lugs 58a and 56b for actuating lifting arms Zila and 232) respectively.

Actuating means comprise an electric motor 5|, secured to motor support plate if by means of screws 52 which drives the hour wheel shaft 26 in an obvious manner through the cooperation of third wheel pinion center wheel 55, intermediate gear 56 and hour wheel 51, while a setting stem 58 adapted to receive a winding key, not shown, has a setting pinion cooperating with intermediate gear to permit the timing dials @511 and b to be rotated in setting the device. The motor 56 is adapted to be driven in cooperation with the above described driving means in such manner that the dials 45a and 52) make one complete revolution each 24 hours.

In using the device herein described, the operation of only the front timing dial 35a and associated parts will be described, as it will be understood that timing dial 451) is operated in the same manner. The operator draws the cam hands iia outwardly to pull out setting pin 33a and then moves a hand lla around to the aperture 66a corresponding to the time designated thereon, at which he desires the mercury switch 38a to close the circuit, and then in a corresponding manner sets the other cam hand llav at the time desig nated on the timing dial its when he desires the mercury switch 38a to break the circuit. Assuming that the motor 5i and associated driving parts rotates the dial 45a. in a clockwise manner, as viewed in Fig. 1, and that switch 38a is in a circuit breaking position, no movement of lifting arm Eta will occur until the curved cam surface i-Qa of cam hand ilo contacts the lifting lug 58a, mounted on the lifting arm and raises the lifting lug 560..

At that time change weight member 33a will also be lifted upwardly, and as the continued rotation of cam hand carries it beyond the lower end of lifting lug Eda, the lifting arm 253a, will drop down due to the pull of gravity thereon, and also the action of spring dim. The result of this movement is that the weight of the falling lifting arm 2&0, will cause change weight member 33a. to drop onto the left of the two change weight studs 35a, as viewed in Fig. 1, resulting in the tilting rocker carriage 3% into the position illustrated in Fig. 1, and the mercury in the switch 33a closes the circuit, which remains a closed position until the other hand i-la, by continued rotation of the timing dial the contacts the lifting lug 5305, which again will be carried upwardly as herein described.

When the lifting lug rides over the end of the succeeding cam hand lla the downwardly movement of the lifting arm the, as. above described, will cause change of weight member 33a to contact the right hand change of weight stud 35a, and this action tilts the pivctally mounted rocker carriage in the opposite direction. Obviously the circuit through the switch 38a will be broken, and will remain in such condition until the lifting arm Eda is again lifted up by one of the cam hands 47a set at a predetermined hour.

The timing dial tlfib and associated parts are set, actuated and operated in exactly the same manner as are the corresponding parts of dia]. 65a. and associated parts. A convenient winding key may be used to rotate the setting stem 53 in order to rotate the dials 35s and d5!) when setting the device. The operation of the lifting arms Zila and 2&1) is clearly shown in Figs. 6, '7 and 8.

The time switch herein disclosed is adapted to be used in various types of work due to its high degree of flexibility and includes installation in connection with sign board displays, building lights, machinery hookups and the like.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that the invention herein disclosed may be variously changed, used or modified, without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing the advantages thereof, and that the embodiment of my invention is illustrative only and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

1. An automatic time switch device of the class described, comprising mercury switch means adapted to be moved into a circuit-opening position or a circuit-closing position, a rotatable timing. dial having time indicating indicia mounted thereon, driving means for rotating said dial, setting means associated with said dial and adapted to be selectively set at any desired indicia on said dial, a re-ciprocable arm activated by said setting means, and means associated with said arm and said'switch means, a trip mechanism pivotally mounted on said positioned and arranged in such manner that in response to successive reciprocating movements of said arm caused by said setting means it alternately tilts said switch means to circuit-opening and circuitclosing positions, whereby a circuit is alternately opened and closed response to the actuation of the setting at predetermined times.

2. An automatic time switch device, comprising time indicating means provided with a series of spaced apertures, setting means disposed. on said indicating means and provided with setting pins adapted to be inserted in said apertures, said setting means being positioned and arranged on said indicating means in such manner that the setting means may be moved slightly away from the time indicating means to disengage said pins from said means and then moved around on said means to a desired point and locked thereon by the engagement of a setting pin with an aperture in said indicating means, a switch means, and means associated with said setting means and said switch means for actuating said switch means at predetermined intervals regulated by the posi tion of the setting means on the time indicating means.

3. An automatic time switch device, comprising a flat circular rotatable dial, provided with a series of spaced apertures disposed along the periphery thereof, radially disposed setting means disposed on said dial and provided with setting pins adapted to be inserted in said apertures, said setting means being positioned and arranged said dial in such manner that the setting n: I'- may be moved slightly away from the time dial to disengage said pins from said dial and then moved around on said dial to a desired point and locked thereon by the engagement of a setting pin with an aperture in said dial, a switch means, and means associated with said setting means and said switch means for causing said switch means to be actuated at predetermined intervals regulated by the position of the setting means on the dial.

4. An automatic time switch device, comprising a rotatable time indicating means, provided with time indicating indicia and a series of spaced apertures, positioned in cooperative relation to said indicia, radially disposed setting means disposed on said indicating means and provided with setting pins adapted to be inserted in said apertures, said setting means being positioned and arranged on said indicating means in such mannor that the setting means may be moved slightly away from the time indicating means to disengage said pins from said means and then moved around on said means to a desired point locked thereon by the engagement of a setting pin with an aperture in said indicating means, a switch means, and means associated with said setting means said switch means for causing said switch means to be alternately actuated to circuit opening and circuit closing positions at predetermined intervals regulated by the position of the setting means on the time indicatin means.

5. An automatic time switch device, comprising a fiat circular rotatable dial, provided with time incicating indicia and a series of spaced aperture disposed along the periphery thereof and positioned in cooperative relation to said in dicia, radially disposed setting means disposed on said dial and provided with setting pins adapted to be inserted in said apertures, said setting means being positioned and arranged on said dial in such manner that ti moved slightly away from the time dial to disengage said pins from said dial and then moved around on said dial to a desired. point and locked thereon by the engagement of a setting pin with an aperture in said dial, a switch means, and means associated with said setting means and said switch means for causing said switch means to be alternately actuated to circuit opening and circuit closing positions at predetermined intervals regulated by the position of the setting means on the dial.

6. automatic time switch, comprising a carriage mounted on a horizontal pivot in such manner as to permit it to be alternately tilted from one side to the other, a switch means mounted in said. carriage and positioned and arranged in such manner as to be alternately moved to circuit-opening and circuit-closing positions in response to the tilting movement of said carriage on said pivot, a vertically disposed lifting member, means for lifting said member at predetermined times, and a change weight member associated with said lifting member and positioned and arranged in relation to said carriage in such manner that it normally retains said carriage in one of its tilted positions but upon upward movement of the lifting member it disengages from contact with the carriage and upon downward movement of the lifting member shifts the carriage to its opposite tilted position, whereby the switch means alternately opens and closes a circuit at predetermined times for the purposes set forth.

An automatic time switch, comprising a car riage mounted on a horizontal pivot in such manher as to permit it to be alt nately tilted from one side to the other, a mercury switch mounted in said carriage and positioned and arranged such manner as to be alternately moved to circuitopening and circuit-closing positions in response to the tilting movement of said carriage, a vertically disposed lifting member, means for lifting said lifting member at predetermined times, and a change weight member associated with said lifting member and positioned and arranged in relation to said carriage in such manner that it normally retains said carriage in one of its tilted positions but upon upward movement of the lifting member it disengages from contact with the carriage and. upon downward movement of the lifting member shifts the carriage to its opposite tilted position, whereby said switch alternately opens and closes a circuit at predetermined times for the purposes set forth.

8. An automatic time switch, comprising a carriage mounted on a horizontal pivot in such manner as to permit it to be alternately tilted from one side to the other, a switch means mounted in said carriage and positioned and arranged in such manner as to be alternately moved to circuit-opening and circuit-closing positions in re sponse to the tilting movement of said carriage, a ertically disposed lifting member, means for lifting said lifting member at predetermined times, and a change weight member pivotally mounted and depending from the lower end of said lifting member, the same being positioned and arranged in relation to said carriage in such manner that it normally retains said carriage in one of its tilted positions but upon upward movement of the lifting member it becomes disengaged from contact with the carriage and upon downward movement of the lifting member shifts the car iage to its opposite tilted position, whereby the switch means alternately opens and closes a circuit at predetermined times for the purposes set forth.

9. An automatic time switch, comprising a carriage mounted on a horizontal pivot in such manner as to permit it to be alternately tilted from one side to the other, a switch means mounted in said carriage and positioned and arranged in such manner as to be alternately moved to circuit-opening and circuit-closing positions in response to the tilting movement of said carriage, a vertically disposed lifting member, a movable time indicating device, driving means for actuating said indicating device, setting means adapted to be selectively set at a predetermined point on the time indicating device for lifting said lifting member at predetermined times, and a change weight member associated with said lifting member and positioned and arranged in relation to said carriage in such manner that it normally retains said carriage in one of its tilted positions but upon upward movement of the lifting member by said setting means it disengagcs from contact with the carriage and upon downward movement of the lifting member shifts the carriage to its opposite tilted position, whereby the switch means alternately opens and closes a circuit at predetermined times for the purposes set forth.

10. An automatic time switch, comprising a carriage mounted on a horizontal pivot in such manner as to permit it to be alternately tilted from one side to the other, a switch means mounted in said carriage and positioned and arranged in such manner as to be alternately moved to circuit-opening and circuit-closing positions in response to the tilting movement of said carriage, a vertically disposed lifting member, a follower means on said lifting arm, a movable timing dial, driving means for rotating said dial, setting means adapted to be selectively set at a predetermined point on said dial, the same being constructed and arranged to lift said follower means on said lifting member at predetermined times, and a change weight member associated with said lifting member and positioned and arranged in relation to said carriage in such manner that it normally retains said carriage in one of its tilted positions but upon upward movement of the lifting member by said setting means it disengages from contact with the carriage and upon downward movement of the lifting member shifts the carriage to its opposite tilted position, whereby the switch means alternately opens and closes a circuit at predetermined times for the purposes set forth.

11. An automatic time switch for controlling a plurality of switches from a single actuating device, comprising a plurality of carriages mounted on horizontal pivots in such manner as to permit them to be alternately tilted from one side to the other, a switch means mounted in each of said carriages and positioned and arranged in such manner as to be alternately moved to circuit-opening and circuit-closing positions in response to the tilting movement of its cooperating carriage, a vertically disposed lifting member for each carriage, means for independently lifting each lifting member at predetermined times, said means being actuated by a common driving means, and a change weight member associated with each lifting member and positioned and arranged in relation to its cooperating carriage in such manner that it normally retains its carriage in one of its tilted positions but upon upward movement of its cooperating lifting member it disengages from contact with the carriage and upon downward movement of the lifting member shifts the carriage to its opposite tilted position, whereby a plurality of switch members alternately open and close circuits at predetermined times for the purposes set forth.

12. An automatic time switch, comprising a carriage mounted on' a pivot in such manner as to permit it to be alternately tilted from one side to the other, a switch means mounted in said carriage and positioned and arranged in such manner as to be alternately moved to circuitopening and circuit-closing positions in response to the tilting movement of said carriage, a vertically disposed lifting member, a movable time indicating device, driving means for actuating said device, setting means adapted to be selectively set at a predetermined point on said indicating device for lifting said lifting member at predetermined times, said setting means comprising an elongated member having a curved surface along its forward side adapted to engage said lifting member, and a change weight member associated with said lifting member and positioned and arranged in relation to said carriage in such manner that it normally retains said carriage in one of its tilted positions, but upon upward movement of the lifting member as it is carried upwardly on the curved smface of the setting member it disengages from contact with said carriage and upon downward movement of the lifting member shifts its carriage to its opposite tilted position, whereby the switch means alternately opens and closes the circuit at predetermined times, for the purposes described.

13. An automatic time switch, comprising a carriage mounted on a pivot in such manner as to permit it to be alternately tilted from one side to the other, a switch means mounted in said carriage and positioned and arranged in such manner as to be alternately moved to circuitopening and circuit-closing positions in response to the tilting movement of said carriage on said pivot, a vertically disposed lifting member, means for lifting said member at predetermined times, means for facilitating the return of said lifting member to its normal position after it is lifted and a change weight member associated with said lifting member and positioned and arranged in relation to said carriage in such manner that it normally retains said carriage in one of its tilted positions but upon upward movement of the lifting member it disengages from contact with the carriage and upon downward movement of the lifting member shifts the carriage to its opposite tilted position, whereby the switch means alternately opens and closes a circuit at predetermined times for the purposes set forth.

1%. An automatic time switch, comprising a carriage mounted on a pivot in such manner as to permit it to be alternately tilted from one side to the other, a switch means mounted in said carriage and positioned and arranged in such manner as to be alternately moved to circuit-opening and circuit-closing positions in response to the tilting movement of said carriage on said pivot, a vertically disposed lifting member, means for lifting said member at predetermined times, a coil spring secured to the frame work supporting this device and connected to the lower end of said lifting device for facilitating the return of said lifting member to its normal position after it is lifted, and. a change weight member associated with said lifting memger and positioned and arranged in relation to said carriage in such manner that it normally retains said carriage in one of its tilted positions but upon upward movement of the lifting memher it disengages from contact with the carriage and upon downward movement of the lifting member shifts the carriage to its opposite tilted position, whereby the switch means alternately opens and closes a circuit at predetermined times for the purposes set forth.

15. An automatic time switch, comprising a carriage mounted on a horizontal pivot in such manner as to permit it to be alternately tilted from one side to the other, means for maintaining said carriage in position against the dragging action of other parts, a switch means mounted in said carriage and positioned and arranged in such manner as to be alternately moved to circuit-opening and circuit-closing positions in response to the tilting movement of said carriage on said pivot, a vertically disposed lifting member, means for lifting said member at predetermined times, and a change weight member associated with said lifting member and positioned and arranged in relation to said carriage in such manner that it normally retains said carriage in one of its tilted positions but upon upward movement of the lifting member it disengages from contact with the carriage and upon downward movement of the lifting member shifts the carriage to its opposite tilted position, whereby the switch means alternately opens and closes a circuit at predetermined times for the purposes set forth.

HERBERT W. DAGGS. 

